A day to remember
(Bella)
I flip through the last document on my desk, breathing out in relief. But that wasn't all for the day.
I have a meeting with a client in a couple of minutes, I know I probably should hurry but the scheduled venue isn't far from Clein's.
I've been a lot cautious since Judy pulled that client bullshit on me and it's safe to say that this was truly a client, not some red-hair grumpy woman disguising to be one.
I exhaled deeply, closing the document and almost immediately a gentle knock comes to the door and Cynthia pops out her head from the doorway.
"You busy?" She ask, giving me a quizzical look but I don't miss the nervousness in her voice.
I glance at my phone, looking back at her, I reply. "I've got to meet a client but I can spare a few minutes, come in," I offer her a tiny smile.
She nods and steps in.
"Please," I say, gesturing her to take a seat.
She settles in, dragging in a sharp breath, she looks at me and then let out an almost awkward laugh. "I know this sounds stupid but I hated you the very moment Calvin threw a smile your way, I shouldn't have," she blurted out, her eyes fixed on me. "I honestly shouldn't have, you did nothing wrong,"
As stupid as that sounds, I hold no grudge.
She let out a low sigh. "You were right, I—-- I like Calvin," the words stumbles out in a stutter. "Seeing him all over you when he never spares me a glance made me so angry and I'm sorry I took it out on you, I—," she trails off. "I was harsh, unkind, forgive me,"
I search her eyes, looking for even the barest traces of lies, I knew I'd find none, she sounded so sincere and before I know it, a small smile creeps up my face as I hold her gaze.
Straightening up, I finally replied. "It feels surreal hearing you say that but in a good way," I let out a brief chuckle.
She laughs softly, there, that's got to be the first time I'm seeing Cynthia genuinely laughing.
She has always been at loggerhead with me and it sure does feel good to see her laugh.
There's a brief pause and then I spoke up again. "I can't say I've forgiven you because I never held a grudge. I understand completely and I'm glad we can put all of that behind us now," I grin at her.
Cynthia goes silent for a second and then she blurted out. "You're so kind, Bella. But….," She sucks in a sharp breath. "I've never been fair to you and yet you–," her voice cracks. "I need to know you really mean that," she says softly, her voice skeptical.
I look at her, leaning on my desk, my eyes on her. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I've forgiven you, completely." I have a grin when I say this.
I see her tense shoulder relax a bit, a smile finding it's way to her face and slowly she mutters. "Thank you," she says earnestly.
My grin widens. What can I say?
Everything about today was auspicious. First, Calvin banged Lego deal, Cynthia's contempt sorted out and now I'm walking out of the restaurant with a prospective contract in hand.
I hold that thought, I guess I was quick to conclude because the moment I stepped out, I heard my name.
I turn, my eyes moving towards the direction I had heard the familiar voice.
And strangely it's the jerk I never thought would show his face again.
Eric Scott.
He's leaning against his car, legs crossed and a hand in his pocket.
And yes, I'd called him a jerk because that's who he truly is.
I remember vividly how he had approached me in club forte just two months after Dean and I got talking.
He had tried to paint Dean out in a bad light to me, mentioning a few things of which I'm quite aware he had fabricated.
And not to mention, he was shamelessly flirting with me. I had cut him off cold that night, throwing a few curses his way.
I never said anything to Dean, we were still getting to know each other and I didn't categorically deem it important.
And well, I see that almost all the time from the likes of him who can't keep it in their pants.
I never thought about why he said what he said. Well, not until my return. He's been made the CEO of Dynamite, a company that seems to be in a competition with Brenco even though they never measured up.
"Still as beautiful as I remember," his voice pulls me out of my trance, and when I look up, I catch his eyes sweeping all over my body with a visible smirk.
He's all but ogling me and not just that, he's leering at my ass.
Still a dickhead, I see.
Regardless of how that made me feel, I steel my mind and paste a smile as he approached me.
"You know it still beats me why he'd divorce such a —-," his voice trails off, as his eyes did the talking. "But I hate to say this, I did try to warn you," his smirk widens.
Teed off and running out of patience, I snapped. "I don't remember that being your business, save your breath!" I spat, taking a confident step forward, my eyes locked onto his. "And you most definitely didn't show your face here just to remind me that, so get right into it,"
I stifle my anger, reminding myself that a jerk like Eric isn't worth it.
He leans closer, tilting his head, he winks. "Smart ass, damn feisty, I like." he says with a smirk and then he lowers his head. "I have an offer,"
I need not to be reminded that everything about Eric Scott screams ridiculous, he's drenched in it, an absolute jerk!
Pushing my gut feeling aside, I straightened up, and stared blankly at him.
"Well?"